It is the leader’s responsibility to create an inclusive work environment where every team member feels that they can fully reveal themselves and share their thoughts and ideas. Masking or covering occurs when people feel as though they cannot fully be themselves – personally or professionally, hiding parts of their identity in order to conform to mainstream thinking.
The leader must actively work to ensure that the work atmosphere is such that no team member feels isolated or excluded.
Communication is key
Creating an environment where the team has the opportunity to discuss what is considered acceptable and unacceptable behavior allows topics that are otherwise difficult to talk about to be discussed. Such meetings are also appropriate to comment on situations of microaggressions that have occurred at a moment inconvenient to react to the moment. This should happen soon after the incident and make it clear that the joke was inappropriate and should not be repeated.
No spotlight
If a member of the team feels excluded, it is important that she/he is not put, figuratively speaking, under the spotlight. This may worry him/her and cause him/her to isolate themself even more. The conversation should be private, and it is the leader’s responsibility to explain that the victim is not to blame and that action will be taken, which will be personally followed up by the leader. When a situation occurs in which someone feels left out, his/her reactions are most often to either withdraw into themself and try to cope on their own, or, on the contrary, to react sharply and violently. Introverts are more analytical and tend to focus on a topic in detail, while extroverts often talk a lot and think out loud.
The importance of inclusion
Inclusion creates employee engagement and a sense of belonging. When employees feel included, they experience a sense of belonging, which leads to increased positive performance outcomes and creates collaborative teams that are innovative and engaging.
Creating a truly inclusive workplace requires everyone to take responsibility. An inclusive culture requires leaders to lead by example by treating everyone with respect.
